sudorific: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical (Medical, Botanical, Literary)
Quick answer
What does “sudorific” mean?
Causing or inducing sweating.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Causing or inducing sweating.
A substance or agent that promotes sweating; also used figuratively to describe something that causes great exertion or anxiety.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical/medical connotation in both. Can have a slightly archaic or literary feel.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both corpora. Slightly more likely to be encountered in historical medical texts or botanical descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “sudorific” in a Sentence
[substance] is sudorific[substance] has a sudorific effectto administer a sudorificVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sudorific” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The physician prescribed a sudorific draught to break the patient's fever.
- Yarrow is known for its sudorific qualities in herbal lore.
American English
- The herbalist recommended a sudorific tea to help fight the flu.
- The medication's primary, though mild, sudorific effect was noted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical medical texts, pharmacology, and botany.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be considered a very advanced or obscure word.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in medicine (especially historical/traditional), herbalism, and physiology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sudorific”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sudorific”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sudorific”
- Using it to mean 'sweaty' (e.g., 'I feel sudorific') instead of 'causing sweat'. Confusing it with 'sudoriferous' (sweat-producing glands). Misspelling as 'sudarific' or 'sudourific'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, technical word primarily found in medical, historical, or botanical contexts.
They are synonyms in medical terminology. 'Diaphoretic' is slightly more common in modern clinical usage, while 'sudorific' can sound more archaic or literary.
Not correctly. It describes substances or effects that cause sweating, not the state of being sweaty. Saying 'I am sudorific' is incorrect; you would say 'I am sweaty' or 'I am perspiring'.
It comes from the Late Latin 'sudorificus', from Latin 'sudor' meaning 'sweat' + 'facere' meaning 'to make'.
Causing or inducing sweating.
Sudorific is usually formal, technical (medical, botanical, literary) in register.
Sudorific: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsjuːdəˈrɪfɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsuːdəˈrɪfɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUDOrific' – it sounds like 'SUDO' (as in pseudo) + 'SWEAT'. Remember 'SUDO' reminds you of 'sweat' and 'rific' makes it 'cause' – so 'sweat-causing'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEAT IS AN AGENT / PURIFICATION. The word is often linked to the concept of expelling impurities or illness through sweat, metaphorically cleansing the body.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'sudorific'?